Abstract

On the occasion of the “Electronica 1978”, an exhibition of electronic components and modules held in Munich in
November 1978, a technical session took place entitled “Aspects of the International Standardization of
Components”. One of the four lectures on standardization reviewed current standardization activities in general. An
English version of this lecture is given below.

After describing the development of standardization at national, regional and international levels, the author
identifies the various organisations involved and explains how they cooperate. International standards are in the
future to be accorded priority in the interest of the international market. Some aspects of electronic materials are
discussed and new trends in standardization work indicated. In conclusion statistics covering the volume of work on
standardization and the cost factors involved are presented.

Some of these statistics, which are based on investigations conducted in Germany, may stimulate similar
investigations in other countries.